The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1887-01-21
TWO KISSES.

" Madam, will you give me something
to eat?n
Something to eat?" repeated tho lady,
a kind-lOokinC matrOn Of about thirty
five. who had come to the door on seeing
n stranger approach, and cast q quick
comprehensive glance over his person
and attire.
d" Oh, yes" she added. "COme in"
Who is it. mammal" asked lutls
eager voice, rs pretty child cf six sum
mers came from an inner room.
Only a poor man, dear, who wants
something TO eat, replied the lady.
There G"w!' she continued. placing
wclI-Gil"d tray upon the table sit
down and help yourself" ..,.,
The stranger obcyed.
\ few words would have told his story.
The only child of wealthy parents, Ralph
Wentworth had lived to the age OF
twenty in ease and luxury.
He had graduated with a fair record
from college, but with no marked pro-
cliyities for any art or calling, save the
very agreeable and congenial one OF en-
jOying the good things OF life.
Within n week after the brilliant festiv-
tiles that had celebrated his majority. his
father had fallen dead in the street from
a paralytic stroke, leaving the family
pcnnilcss.
In week more his mother had sunk
to the grave; and the petted INDUCED
boy was left to face the world alone, with
no resources save the few pounds that
remained Of his fathers birthday gift.
With the first shock Of bereavement
over, friends clustered around him,
ready to advise and eager to assist in th3
spending Of his little patrimOny.
That once gone, his friends went also
Ralph made few Intellectual efforts to
obtain some employment.
But where the heir OF prospective thou
IL hss4 If2szD md rf
bility, the impecunious young man now
encountered superciliOus looks and in
credulous shrugs.
Finally. filled with misanthropic dis
gust against these summer friends, he
had resolved to quit England, and go he
cared not where.
On the morning after coming to this
decision, while glancing aimlessly over
paper, his eye fell upon an item describ-
ing the discovery OF gold in California.
In an instant his resolve was formed.
He would 90 there.
If his strength gave out before the goal
was reached, so much the better; no one
would care, no one would miss him.
It was in this mood that he had made
his first request for a meal, for the last
few pennies Of his slender funds had
bought him meagre dinner the day be-
fore.
And as he now sat eating, a sudden
rush of emotion came over him, and
forced n sigh from his lips.
" What makes you feel so bad?"
The little earnest voice, breaking in
upon his painful reverie, aroused him
with a start.
Seated in little rocker, which she was
gently swaying to and fro, with her
hands folded in her lap, and her sweet
wistful eyes fixed with a searching yet
sympathetic gaze upon him, was the
child whose presence he had entirely for
gotten.
Her mother had left the room tempo
rarily. and he had thought himsel. alone.
"Why do you think l feel bad, little
one?"
Because your face looks so sad, and
you don't eat anything hardly; and you
almost cried just now replied the little
creature; don't you feel happy
Not very happy, child-that is
fact"
And another sigh finished the sen-
tence
Are you bad man?" was the next
question.
A half smile parted Ralph's pale lips.
Why do you ask me- thatS be res
ponded.
Because mamma says that people
real good people, L mean-sre always
happy, and that they only feel sad when
they do something wrong"
Il suppose mamma is right said
Ralph, signing. " And yet 1 am not a
bad man, little one; only a foolish one"
Il am foolish sometimes, and little
bad, too" said the little creature, shak-
ing her head with a serious air. And
then mamma tells me to sit down in my
chair and think about 1t; and by-and-by
/ feel very sorry, and look sad like you
do now. Don't you feel sorry you was
so foolish?"
" Indeed do, my child" said the
young man with involuntary earnest
ness. but tell me-" he added in
terested by her srtless prattle, what do
you do then?"
- tell mamma how sorry I am and
then she kisses me, and l feel better.
Haven't you got any mamma or any
friends to kiss you?"
No, little one My mother is dead,
md my friends are all gone"
The child pondered for moment.
THAT is too bad - she exclaimed.
Then she added:
viii 1t make you feel better if kiss
7ou1"
" Yes, think so. I am sure 1t will"
well, 1 will kiss you"
And, rising from her chair the child
stepped to his side and kissed him.
Now you won't be foolish any more
viii you? she asked.
Indeed 1 will try not to be !" was the
arnest answer. God bless you. little
mel That Is the sweetest kiss have